October is recognized as Manufacturing Month, an awareness campaign designed to celebrate and highlight Illinois’ manufacturing industry and the vital contributions manufacturers make to the state’s economy.

According to the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), Illinois manufacturers directly employ more than 662,000 men and women. The IMA also reports that the state’s manufacturing industry supports $580 billion in annual economic impact, making it Illinois’ largest industry sector and one of the fastest-growing in the Midwest.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) notes that Illinois ranks as the fourth-largest manufacturing state in the nation, home to more than 14,000 manufacturing companies across a wide range of industries.

Senate Republicans say that from small, family-run businesses to large employers, manufacturers provide good-paying jobs, strengthen local economies, and create opportunities for future generations.

Earlier in the month, the IMA and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center embarked on an eight-day bus tour, dubbed Makers on the Move, to celebrate the month and shine a spotlight on manufacturers across the state. For a full list of tour stops, click here.